Mark Fennell RBSA

News and events

tagged portraitartist

Artlife studio, still life workshop.

It's a real pleasure to be working with Sarah and Richard Thomas at Artlife studio near Amersham.
This was my first workshop for them, the first two images show my still life demonstration painted in oils over three stages during the day.
My next workshop here will be an introduction to Portrait painting in oils or acrylics on thursday 5th October 2023.
https://www.artlifestudio.co.uk

The Artist magazine.

My article - Exploring the Zorn palette in the July 2023 issue of The Artist magazine. In this article i demonstrate how i paint an alla prima portrait in oils using the Zorn colour palette, just three colours plus white.
https://www.painters-online.co.uk

Zoom Portrait painting demonstration.

Here's a few frames from a Zoom portrait painting demonstration i did for Arun art society in oils with a limited colour palette (Zorn palette).
I spent a little time after the demonstration tickling this one up as you can see in the final image.

http://www.arunartsociety.co.uk/

Portrait of Franco Luxardo.

My recent portrait of Franco Luxardo President of the Girolamo Luxardo Italian liqueur and spirits business. Luxardo is one of the oldest European firms producing liqueurs and spirits and is famous for it's Maraschino cherry liqueur.
This one was quite a challenge as it was commissioned as a suprise gift for Franco and i had to work from supplied images rather than meet Franco in person and take my own reference images.
I was commissioned by Martin Watts, pictured with Franco above. Martin presented Franco with the portrait in Torreglia as a thank you for their long standing business relationship.
A quote from Martin -
"Tears were shed by both sides as memories of our personal relationship which dates back to the early 1980’s, unfolded. Quite interestingly, Franco earlier had proudly shown me a portrait of his grandfather, dated from around the 1920’s which he had found in a museum in Zara (the original site in Dalmatia of the company), and which he persuaded the museum to part with. Whilst in a different, more formal, style to your portrait of Franco, they will take pride of place in the new corporate museum that they are opening in the Autumn."
https://www.luxardo.it/

Zoom portrait painting demonstration

Here's another one of my Zoom portrait painting demonstrations. This one was for Woking art society
in collaboration with Guildford art society.

"Thank you for a really enjoyable demo. Whilst I’ve only spoken to a couple of people, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the session, the fact that all 55 viewers stayed for the duration (and some longer than the allotted two hours!) speaks for itself – that doesn’t always happen! It was fascinating to watch that beautiful face emerge and we learned quite a bit about technique along the way too."
Sue Hinton
Woking Art Society
Chairman and Exhibitions Secretary

https://www.wokingartsociety.org/

Rosemary and co artists brushes.
Just recieved a nice package from Rosemary Thompson @rosemaryandco. A couple of free T-shirts and some sample brushes – Classic and Ivory range for students to use at my workshops.
www.rosemaryandco.com

Painting courses.
Had a great time running a two day portrait painting workshop at Pure Artwork studio in Adderbury, what a great place to work!
https://www.pureartworkstudio.co.uk

Painting course.
Had fun teaching palette knife portrait painting to a great group of artists at Pegasus Art in Stroud.
“I bought Mark’s workshop that was held on Saturday, as a Christmas present for my husband and he learnt so much! He can’t wait to come back on another workshop run by Mark!” Sally Cain.
https://www.pegasusart.co.uk/classes-workshops.irs

Portrait painting course in Oxford.
Enjoyed the weekend teaching palette knife portrait painting to a great bunch of students at Oxford Summer School. Some people decided to stick to working with brushes but still got some impressive results.
http://www.oxfordsummerschool.com/

The Artist and Leisure painter.
My portrait of Sir Walter has been selected for The Artist and Leisure Painter magazines Patchings exhibition.